JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Monthly bills will be rising for hundreds of thousands of electricity customers in western Missouri. The Missouri Public Service Commission said Wednesday that it approved a $64 million rate increase for Kansas City Power and Light Company and an additional $49 million rate hike for KCP and L Greater Missouri Operations Company.

Monthly bills will rise by an estimated $8.91 for a residential customer of KCP and L. The companies serve a combined 584,000 customers in Kansas City, St. Joseph and western Missouri.

LABADIE, Mo. (AP) — An eastern Missouri power plant has been named a top polluter by an environmental watchdog group. Ameren Missouri’s Labadie (LA’-buh-dee) Energy Center is located along the Missouri River in Franklin County. Last week’s report from the Environmental Integrity Project says the plant emitted 795 pounds of mercury in 2011. Ameren says it continues to look for ways to reduce emissions in a cost-effective manner.

SALEM, Mo. (AP) — Republicans hoping to succeed Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson are set to appear at a candidate forum this evening in Salem. So far 17 people have said they’re interested in taking over the post when Emerson resigns next month. A second forum will be held on January 17th in Cape Girardeau.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A movie screen that’s being billed as the largest in the region is now at Kansas City’s Union Station. The 74-foot screen will eventually be installed as part of a facelift of the facility’s theater.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Farmers across most of Missouri now are eligible for federal aid as a result of a natural disaster declaration by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Governor Jay Nixon said Wednesday the declaration means farmers can get emergency loans and other assistance from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. The disaster declaration applies to 31 counties that have suffered extreme or exceptional drought, or have been in a severe drought for more than eight weeks. Farmers in an additional 32 neighboring counties also can receive aid.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — At least one lawmaker was missing when Missouri’s newly elected representatives took the oath of office. Republican House member Keith Frederick of Rolla was not at the Capitol yesterday for the first day of the annual session. Frederick’s office assistant said he was in Washington, D.C., bidding his daughter goodbye Wednesday as she left on a yearlong mission trip.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A former Kansas City Chiefs quarterback now serving as chief of staff to Republican Lieutenant Governor Peter Kinder has been appointed to the Missouri board that regulates utilities. Democratic Governor Jay Nixon announced the appointment of Bill Kenney to the Public Service Commission yesterday. Kenney of Lee’s Summit, served in the state Senate from 1995 to 2003. He became Kinder’s chief of staff in November 2011.

ST. LOUIS (AP) — A former St. Louis real estate broker faces sentencing in April after admitting in federal court that he defrauded the government and financial institutions of more than $1 million. Authorities say 28-year-old Jerrick Hawkins pleaded guilty yesterday to multiple fraud charges.